Silent Charger Dilemma

The Charger Issue

Remember the good old days when the sound of a Dodge Charger roaring down the street could be heard from blocks away? Well, times are changing and now Dodge is trying to bring that iconic loudness to the electric version of the Charger Daytona. They even equipped it with something called the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust to make artificial noise. But here’s the kicker – some of these electric beasts aren’t loud enough, and it’s causing a bit of a stir. Turns out, the lack of noise might actually be dangerous for pedestrians who rely on sound cues while walking!

Quiet Chargers

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), up to 8,390 of these battery-powered Chargers might have rolled off the line missing a critical piece of software needed for the artificial noise to function properly. Without this, they’re nearly silent on the streets, which isn’t just a bummer for enthusiasts but also a real safety concern.

Regulations state that electric and hybrid cars must make noise at low speeds to alert pedestrians, but a hiccup in the software update during production has left some of these vehicles eerily quiet. This snag stems from a software glitch within the amplifier system, which was supplied by the well-known tech group, Alps Alpine. Some units didn’t get the complete upload, leaving them without the intended external alerts.

Free Fix

Not every car is affected; only a small fraction, around 3%, might have this silent problem. The issue lies in the batch produced between April 30, 2024, and March 18, 2025. Owners are being contacted about this and invited to stop by the dealership for a quick fix — no cost, of course. Dodge has clarified that no accidents or injuries have been reported due to this problem so far. Just a friendly software update should have things noisy in no time!

Getting behind the wheel of one of these EV Chargers is a different experience. While it may not thrum with the bass-heavy growl of its ancestors, it’s still an exciting wheel. Drivers who’ve had the chance to test one out report a clean, responsive drive with the kind of acceleration that feels electrifying, no pun intended. The Charger Daytona aims to blend past bravado with modern ingenuity, creating a unique take on the muscle car era.

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